Collapsible screen crib cover



Feb. 2, 1954 w, J, DONOVAN 2,667,648

COLLAPSIBLE SCREEN CRIB COVER Filed A ril 4, 1952 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. WILL/AM J FU/YUWl/Y ATTORNEY. I

Feb. 2, 1954 W. J. DONOVAN COLLAPSIBLE SCREEN CRIB COVER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 4, 1952 INVENTOR. W/LLMM J. 1717!)0 VH/Y ATTORIVF).

Patented Feb. 2, 1954 2,667,648 OF F I CE 2,667,648 COLLAPSIBLE SCREEN CRIBCOVER William J. Donovan, Pittsford, N. Y., assignor to Trimble, 1110., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation.

of New York Application April4, 1952, Serial No. 280,610

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a cover for a collapsible screen crib of the general type including a folding frame in which the screened enclosure is suspended between the top rails of two relatively movable leg frames, and it has for its purpose to afford a practical and efficient cover that is mounted on one of the leg frames and can be quickly moved into operative position so as to be held securely in engagement with the top of the screened enclosure entirely around the same, affording a satisfactory and effective protection for an infant within the crib.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover so mounted that when the cover and leg frames are folded, the cover does not offer any protruding parts or projections that might interfere with the packing and convenient transporting of the folded crib, the cover being mounted on supporting means that is foldable into generally parallel relationship with the leg frames when the latter are collapsed.

More specifically, the invention has for its purpose to provide a collapsible screen crib with a cover of plastic or other suitable fabric, one side of the cover being attached to a retaining frame pivoted to one of the leg frames and acting to hold the one side of the cover in fixed relation when operatively arranged while the other side and two ends of the cover are secured to a pivoted stretching frame that is adapted to swing over the top of the crib relatively to the leg frames and retaining frame and to be drawn down over the opposite side of the crib, together with means for holding the cover in taut relation to the top of the crib.

In a more particular aspect, the inventioncontemplates the use of a screen crib cover of plastic or other suitable fabric with a screen or transparent panel so mounted on a collapsible cross-leggedframe that it can be drawn tautly over and in contact with the top of the crib enclosure, and when out of operative position can lie in parallel relationship to the leg frames when the latter are folded, so as not to interfere with the collapsing of the cross-legged frame.

The invention also has for an object to provide simple and practical fastening means for holding the cover stretching frame in operating position, such fastening means being mounted on the top rail of one leg frame opposite to the one on which the stretching frame is pivoted, the fastening means being arranged so as to occupy a position substantially parallel to the leg frames when they are collapsed and the crib cover is in its inoperative position.

The invention also has for a purpose to afford a simple and economical construction that lends itself to the employment of plastic or other fabric for the crib cover and which enables quick and convenient manipulation of the cover to either its operative or inoperative position.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts that will appear clearly from the followstretched ing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claims following the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l-is a view in front elevation of a screen crib showing the cover incorporating a preferred embodiment of the invention in operative or closed position;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same; 7

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation showing the position of the parts when the cover is moved to its inoperative position and the leg frames are collapsed;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken transversely through the top rail of the front leg frame, showing one'of the fastening devices in its inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is a similar View showing the fastening device in the position which it assumes when retaining the stretching frame to stretch the cover over the crib;

Fig. 6 is a'front elevation of the fastening device shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail View in end elevation similar to Fig. '2, showing the position of the retaining and stretching frames for the cover when the latter is in operative position over the crib, and in dotted lines the position of the retaining and stretching frames when the cover is folded to inoperative position, and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 7, partially broken away.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which like referen'ce'numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, and to the embodiment shown herein which is intended only as illustrative of one way of carrying out the invention, the structure is applied to a known type of screen crib including a crosslegged frame consisting of leg frames I and 2 pivotallyconnected at 3 to permit folding and including respectively the top rails t and 5 between and on which is suspended the crib enclosure. The crib body or enclosure includes side walls 5 and end walls :7 'of suitable screening material, the bottom of the screened enclosure being adapted for supporting a mattress as usual this type of construction, while fidesignates toggle links pivctally connected to each other and to the leg frames, see Fig. 2, and acting to limit the opening movement of the crosslegged frame when expanded to its operative position. The device thus far described is in its general characteristics old and the present invention has to do with a cover cooperating with the top rails of the leg frames and with the top of the crib body or screened enclosure to afford a protection for an infant when positioned in the crib, and this construction will now be described in detail.

The cover includes in general a plastic or other fabric body that is supported along one 3 side by a retaining frame that may be pivoted to one of the leg frames at a point somewhat below the top thereof and below and also its ends are supported on a stretching frame that is pivoted to swing relatively to the retaining frame and acting when swung over, and downwardly with relation to the opposite leg frame and screened enclosure to move the cover downwardly around the top of the screened enclosure and the top rail of the opposite leg frame until the cover entirely surrounds the top of the screened enclosure and is in engagement with said top, the stretching frame being forced into engagement with fastening devices secured to the top rail of the opposite leg frame and acting to hold the cover tightly drawn or in taut position over the top of the screened enclosure. To accomplish this, the cover which is made of plastic or other suitable material comprises a top or body portion 9 having secured thereto a downwardly extending marginal portion l l which surrounds the upper edge of the screened enclosure and is provided along one side with a hem l2 that surrounds a rod forming part of a wire retaining frame 13 which includes bent end portions I l pivoted to the upright portions of the adjacent leg frame I by means of suitable bolts 15, see Figs. 7 and 8. The end portions 14 of the retaining frame include forwardly and downwardly projecting extensions [6 terminating in lateral arms H which engage the forward surface of the upright portions of the leg frame l and thus limit upward movement of the retaining frame 13 when the cover is moved to its closed or operative position. When the retaining frame I3 is thus held in the position illustrated in Fig. 7, the cover can be swung forwardly and downwardly over the screened enclosure and opposite leg frame, and when the cover is stretched in taut relation over the screened enclosure and opposite leg frame, it can be secured in such position.

In order to accomplish this, the marginal portions ll of the cover at the ends and along one side of the cover are attached by hems to a generally U-shaped wire stretching frame l8 which extends entirely around the two ends and along one side of the cover, and is pivoted to the leg frame I. Preferably the ends of the stretching frame are pivotally associated with the bolts 15 already mentioned to which the end portions Id of the retaining frame l3 are pivoted, and thus the stretching frame is movable about the same axis as the retaining frame I3, although the retaining and stretching frames may be otherwise mounted on the leg frames and the cover may be supported in other ways. The U-shaped stretching frame [8 with the cover attached thereto is positionable in front of the screened enclosure and beneath the top thereof and the top rail of the adjacent leg frame, as illustrated in Fig. 5, and when stretched to this position is retained by fastening means that will now be described.

Attached to the top rail 4 of the leg frame 2 are two supporting plates l9 fixedly attached thereto and including vertically inclined portions slotted at 2| to receive the reduced end portions 22 of the pivotally mounted fastening plates 23, said end portions 22 being swaged or otherwise provided with enlargements 24 that prevent their being withdrawn from the slots 2|. The end portion 22 is curved laterally and upwardly relatively to the body f the fastening plate 23 as the top of the screened enclosure, while the opposite side of the cover 4 shown in Fig. 4, while the slotted portion of the supporting plate 19 is inclined, permitting the fastening plate 23 to be swung forwardly as shown in Figs. 2 and when the cover is stretched over the top rails of the leg frame, such move- "ment of the fastening plate being limited by its engagement with the bottom of supporting plate [9. The plates 23 are bent to afford recesses or pockets 25 that receive the stretching frame it, as shown in Fig. 5, the stretching frame being retained therein by latch members 26 pivoted to the fastening plates 23 at 21 and provided with finger portions 28 by which they are manipu lated in or out of operative position. The latch members 26 can be swung counter-clockwise with reference to Fig. 6 to uncover the pockets or recesses 25 when the stretching frame is moved downwardly over the leg frame, as shown in Fig. 5. With the latch members in such position and the fastening plates 23 swung forwardly or outwardly from the Fig. 4 position to the Fig. 5 position, downward pressure is exerted on the stretching frame i8 and cover until the front rod of the stretching frame is engaged with the recesses 25 in the fastening plates, and the latch members 26 are then swung downwardly to retain the stretching frame and cover in such position. The cover is thus drawn tightly over the topof the screened enclosure with the marginal portions ll extending downwardly entirely around the enclosure, while the rear part of the cover is nrmly held by the retaining frame 13. The cover is provided with suitable notches or cut-away portions 29 to permit access to the latch members and fastening plates, see Fig. 1, and also with cut-away portions 3| at the ends to accommodate the pivotal connections l5.

Referring to Fig. 1, when it is desired to open the cover and swing it to inoperative position, the latch members 26, see Fig. 1, are swung upwardly in a counter-clockwise direction, releasmg the stretching frame l8 which can then be swung upwardly over the screened enclosure and downwardly at the rear, see Fig. 'l, and when this movement of the stretching frame and cover takes place, the fastening plates 23 can swing downwardly by gravity from the Fig. 5 position to the vertical position illustrated in Fig. 4, which position they can occupy when the leg frames are collapsed as in Fig. 3, thus offering no pro- Jecting portions or obstructions that would otherwise interfere with the collapsing of the frame for packing or transporting, and when in such collapsed relation, the retaining frame l3 with its pivoted end portions 1-; can swing downwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 3'in close proximity to the leg frame to which it is attached.

While the invention has been described with reference to the particular structure shown herein, it is not confined to the exact details illustrated, and this application is intended to cover such modifications or departures as may come within the purposes of the improvements and the scope of the following claims.

I claim: 7

1. In a screen crib consisting of a collapsible frame including a top rail connecting the legs of each leg frame and a generally rectangular screened enclosure suspended between the top rails, a cover including a top overlying said top rails and depending marginal portions located beneath and surroundin said top rails, a, taining frame having its ends pivoted to the legs of one leg frame at points beneath said top rails spaced from oneside of said marginal portion of the cover and secured to the depending marginal portion at one side of the cover, and a generally U-shaped stretching frame pivoted coaxially with said retaining frame at its ends to the legs of the last mentioned leg frame and movable independently of the retaining frame, the stretching frame being secured to the depending marginal portions of the cover along its opposite side and both ends and located beneath and surrounding said top rails when in operative position.

2. In a screen crib consisting of a collapsible frame including a top rail connecting the legs of each leg frame and a generally rectangular screened enclosure suspended between the top rails, a cover including a top overlying said top rails and depending marginal portions located beneath and surrounding said top rails, a retaining frame pivotally attached to one leg frame and secured to the depending marginal portion at one side of the cover, a generally U-shaped stretching frame pivoted coaxially with said retaining frame at its ends to the legs of the last mentioned leg frame, the stretching frame being secured to the depending marginal portions along the opposite side and both ends of the cover and located when in operative position surrounding and beneath said top rails, and fastening devices engageable with the stretching frame when the cover is drawn over the top rails and screened enclosure and acting to hold the cover engaged with said top rails and said marginal portion drawn tightly down and around the top rails.

3. In a screen crib consisting of a collapsible frame including a top rail connecting the legs of each leg frame and a generally rectangular screened enclosure suspended between the top rails, a cover including a top overlying said top rails and depending marginal portions located beneath and surrounding said top rails, a retaining frame having its ends pivoted to the legs of one leg frame and secured to the depending marginal portion at one side of the cover, a generally U-shaped stretching frame pivoted coaxially with said retaining frame at its ends to the legs of the last mentioned leg frame and movable independently of the retaining frame, the stretching frame being secured to the depending marginal portions along the opposite side and both ends of the cover and located when in operative position surrounding and beneath said top rails, stop means carried by the retaining frame and acting to limit upward movement of the retaining frame by engagement with the leg frame, and fastening devices engageable with the stretching frame when the cover is drawn over the top rails and screened enclosure and acting to hold the cover engaged with said top rails and said marginal portion drawn tightly down and around the top rails.

4. In a screen crib consisting of a collapsible frame including a top rail connecting the legs of each leg frame and a generally rectangular screened enclosure suspended between the top rails, a cover including a top overlying said top rails and depending marginal portions located beneath and surrounding said top rails, a retaining frame having its ends pivoted to the legs of one leg frame and attached to the depending marginal portion at one side of the cover, said retaining frame having extensions at its ends terminating in stop portions that engage the legs of the last mentioned le frame and limit upward movement of the retaining frame, and a generally U-shaped stretching frame pivoted coaxially with said retaining frame at its ends to the legs of the last mentioned leg frame and movable independently of the retaining frame, the stretching frame being secured to the depending marginal portions along the opposite side and both. ends of the cover and acting to hold the cover engaged with said top rails and said marginal portion drawn tightly down and around the top rails.

5. In a screen crib consisting of a collapsible frame including a top rail connecting the legs of each leg frame and a generally rectangular screened enclosure suspended between the top rails, a cover including a top and depending marginal portions, a retaining frame having its ends pivoted to the legs of one leg frame and attached to the depending marginal portion at one side of the cover, a generally U-shaped stretching frame pivoted at its ends to the legs of the last mentioned leg frame and movable independently of the retaining frame, the stretching frame being secured to the depending marginal portions along the opposite side and both ends of the cover, supporting plates fixed to the top rail of the opposite leg frame, fastening plates pivotally mounted on the supporting plates and having swinging movement thereon toward and from the leg frame, mutually engaging means on the supporting and fastening plates limiting movement of the fastening plates in one direction, said fastening plates having recesses to engage the stretching frame, and latch elements carried by the fastening plates and movable to a position overlying said stretching frame and acting to hold it engaged with the fastening plates.

6. In a screen crib consisting of a collapsible frame including a top rail connecting the legs of each leg frame and a generally rectangular screened enclosure suspended between the top rails, a cover including a top and depending marginal portions, a retaining frame having its ends pivoted to the legs of one leg frame and attached to the depending marginal portion at one side of the cover, said retaining frame having extensions at its ends terminating in stop portions that engage the legs of the last mentioned leg frame and limit upward movement of the retaining frame, a generally U-shaped stretching frame pivoted at its ends to the legs of the last mentioned leg frame and movable independently of the retaining frame, the stretching frame being secured to the depending marginal portions along the opposite side and both ends of the cover, supporting plates fixed to the top rail of the opposite leg frame, fastening plates pivotally mounted on the supporting plates and having swinging movement thereon toward and from the leg frame, mutually engaging means on the supporting and fastening plates limiting movement of the fastening plates in one direction, said fastening plates having recesses to engage the stretching frame, and latch elements carried by the fastenin plates and movable to a position overlying said stretching frame and acting to hold it engaged with the fastening plates.

WILLIAM J. DONOVAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,094,662 Kiley Apr. 28, 1914 1,802,147 Hans'burg Apr. 21, 1931 2,162 483 Kennedy June 13, 1939 2,254,004 De Puy Aug. 26, 1941 2,586,247 Mover Feb. 19, 1952 

